00:00You just sliced into an onion.
00:03Your eyes are about to declare war on you.
00:10Meet the onion's defense cells.
00:13When you cut them open, they release an...
00:15They release a chemical weapon on purpose.
00:18On purpose.
00:21That chemical drifts up as a gas and hits a very specific target.
00:25Your eyes.
00:30The second it touches your eyes, it reacts with your tears and forms a mild acid right on the surface.
00:37Right on the surface.
00:42Your eyes detect the irritation instantly and trigger even more tears to flush it out.
00:52So you're not sad.
00:54You're being chemically defended against by a vegetable.
01:00The fix, chill the onion first, or cut it near running water.
01:04Cold and moisture both slow the gas down before it reaches you.